Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

Qin Qi's voice came from behind, trying to persuade him to stay, but Xiao Ce showed no intention of turning back. He grabbed Xiao Chen'an and quickened his pace, soon disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Qin Xing looked up at Qin Qi beside him and asked in a low, puzzled voice:

"Father, why is Uncle Rui in such a hurry to take Brother An away? Is it because Brother An is going to get beaten up again if he goes back?"

"Father isn't quite sure either, maybe... I guess."

Qin Qi looked down at Qin Xing, his tone slightly ambiguous and helpless. Qin Xing frowned slightly, her heart filled with worry for Xiao Chen'an.

"Why is Uncle Rui always so strict with Brother An? He has to get up at dawn to study, and he entered the academy before he was even five years old. Besides his studies, he also has to learn martial arts from Mr. Gu. Brother An is so pitiful!"

"Xingxing is still young and doesn't understand yet. Your brother An will inherit the throne when he grows up. If your Uncle Rui doesn't be strict with him now, he won't be able to be a good Prince Rui in the future."

Qin Qi lowered his head and gently rubbed Qin Xing's soft little head, explaining patiently and softly.

"This Uncle Rui is even fiercer than Father, brother, don't you agree?"

Ling Yue slowly withdrew his gaze from the distant corridor, his brows suddenly darkening as he turned to look at Ling Yu.

"Other people's business is none of our concern."

"Is my uncle as terrifying as Uncle Rui? My father is still the best!"

Qin Xing rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Qin Qi's thigh, rubbing against him softly and affectionately. A warm feeling welled up in Qin Qi's heart, and he turned his head and smiled at Lu Baixu beside him.

"Bai Xu, look, it's better to have a daughter."

……

The next day, the sky was clear and the air was crisp. The Royal Polo Field in Jinling City was filled with flags and banners. The stands were packed with princes, officials, and their families. The Qin family members sat early in the civil officials' stand on the east side.

Horses neighed and flags fluttered in the wind, creating a lively scene. Qin Qi sat with his two children, while Wu Shuang and Yang Luoying, finding it too noisy, took Qin Xing shopping.

"Your mother rose to fame on this very polo field. Back then, your aunt and mother were rivals!"

Qin Qi's words immediately piqued Ling Yu's interest, while Ling Yue simply listened indifferently, without any intention of responding.

"Uncle, who won in the end?"

"you guess."

"I'm sure it's Mother, am I right?"

Ling Yu's eyes lit up, eagerly awaiting the answer.

"How did you know that, kid?"

"I once saw my mother and aunt have a martial arts contest, and my mother won."

Qin Qi's eyebrows curved into a smile, his mouth agape, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Look at this Nanjing Royal Polo Stadium, both of you. Which one is more impressive compared to the one in your Jicheng?"

"They look pretty much the same as those in our Jicheng, what do you think, brother?"

Although Ling Yu spoke casually, his eyes kept scanning the scene, his curiosity piqued by the grand spectacle before him. He didn't even notice that Ling Yue hadn't responded.

Ling Yue leaned forward slightly, his eyes scanning the surrounding stands, his brows furrowed, clearly not having heard Ling Yu's words.

"Yue'er, what are you looking around for?"

Qin Qi noticed his absent-minded look and gently patted his shoulder. Ling Yue immediately looked away, a hint of doubt appearing in his eyes.

"Xiao Chen'an said yesterday that he would be coming today, so why isn't he here?"

"Exactly, could it be that he really did get beaten up by his father yesterday, which is why he can't come?"

Qin Qi chuckled softly upon hearing this and shook his head.

"You two brothers got into a fight yesterday, and today you're already thinking about finding him. Don't worry, he should be here in a little while."

With a clear and resounding gong, the polo match officially began, but Xiao Ce and Xiao Chen'an were nowhere to be seen.

Ling Yu was completely captivated by the scene, his eyes filled with excitement, and he instantly forgot all about Xiao Chen'an.

Ling Yue sat upright in his seat, but his gaze frequently passed over the throng of people, looking towards the entrance of the arena. His youthful brows were always slightly furrowed, forming a stark contrast with the enthusiastic and excited Ling Yu beside him.

Ling Yu watched the polo match with great interest throughout the first half, while Ling Yue remained distracted.

The riders in the arena reined in their horses and headed towards the rest area on the sidelines. The noise in the stands gradually subsided, and people got up to walk around and chat.

At the entrance at the end of the crowd, two figures, one tall and one short, walked slowly towards them. It was Xiao Ce and Xiao Chen'an. Ling Yue, who had been watching that direction, saw them immediately. He frowned and pursed his lips, remaining silent.

Instead of heading towards the stands, the two remained on the open space by the field. Xiao Ce bowed his head to Xiao Chen'an, his expression solemn, as if he were giving him some instructions.

"It's Xiao Chen'an!"

Ling Yu, who always had sharp eyes, quickly spotted the two of them as well.

"Why aren't they coming up? Brother, how about we go down and find Xiao Chen'an?"

"Um."

"Hey, slow down, don't be reckless!"

Qin Qi hurriedly tried to stop them, but the two children were fast and had already rushed down the steps. Helpless, he had no choice but to quickly follow them.

"Xiao Chen'an!"

Xiao Ce looked up at the sound and saw the brothers Ling Yu and Ling Yue rushing over. Ling Yu's eyebrows were raised and his face was full of lively smiles, while Ling Yue followed closely behind, silent and calm.

"I thought you weren't coming. Did your father beat you up?"

Ling Yu leaned close to Xiao Chen'an and spoke without any restraint. Ling Yue, who was standing to the side, immediately frowned and almost rolled his eyes.

"My father never beats me."

Xiao Chen'an's expression was resolute, his tone decisive, and then he slightly pursed his lips.

"It's just punishment—I have to copy books."

Ling Yu looked surprised, then leaned close to Ling Yue's ear and openly whispered something:

"It seems this Uncle Rui is just as frightening as our father."

Although he spoke in a whisper, his voice was not lowered at all, and everyone could hear him. Ling Yue glanced at Xiao Ce, whose expression was cold and aloof, and pursed his lips slightly.

"My aunt once said that the more our father loved us, the stricter he would be with us."

"Yes, yes, yes! Xiao Chen'an, don't be sad. What my aunt said makes the most sense. Your father is so strict with you, but he must love you very much."

Xiao Chen'an glanced at his father, who stood to the side with a cold expression. The grievance in his heart suddenly disappeared. He felt that his usually dignified and aloof father was not so frightening anymore.

"I'm starting to like your aunt."

"Haha! When you meet my aunt, I guarantee you'll like her even more! Let me tell you, everyone who's met my aunt has a friend who doesn't like her..."

Ling Yu immediately became excited and started chattering away.